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plagiarizzim's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual violence
hannahsquishbanana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Abortion, and Abandonment
allyrosemary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
cindy_johns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bodies of Light follows the eventful life of Maggie, born to heroin addict parents, who lives most of her young life navigating the horror of Australia's foster care system.
My Thoughts
Bodies of Light is a long story spanning the life of Maggie from her earliest memories to her middle-age years. It was sensitive, honest, and engaging. I was hooked from the first sentence, and at no point did the story feel slow or drawn out. While the subject matter was intense, it never felt like the author was striving for shock value. I always felt like I was reading a memoir from a woman who made the best out of a difficult situation.
What I Liked
In a word, everything. The pace, the realism, the raw emotion. The first-person narrative was easy to engage with; Maggie and all her complexities invited you to think about how personal grief is and how not everyone's reaction is the same. I loved that despite all her hardships, Maggie was always open to love, and I appreciated that the author wove many love stories into the story. While harrowing, it wasn't all doom, gloom, or exploitation.
What I didn't like
The uncomfortable understanding that this kind of horror is real for so many innocent children and the bureaucratic bungling of almost everything important means more and more children are condemned to life with the same challenges as Maggies.
Conclusion
I finished this beautiful book with a heart full of love for Maggie and her persistence and resilience to keep fighting for her life. I'm so thankful that this wasn't a story preoccupied with destruction but one that paid homage to the healing power of love and the strength of the human spirit.
My recommendation
It's a riveting novel, but please don't read it if any of the subject matter triggers emotions for you. This story pulls no punches and is not for the faint-hearted. It's a must-read, but it comes with a trigger warning.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide attempt
tomblyc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Pregnancy
adelopycruz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
sheeprustler's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, and Medical content
tabbygwilson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
ameliasbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It is a tough book, but so worth reading and it deserves much more attention. I already can hear people shouting 'trauma porn' and I am happy for these people to have a life, in which only once in a while bad things are happening or nothing really that bad at all. And I'm hoping, that they are able to live protected in that bubble for good. Because out there are people, who have to suffer through a lot.
My only criticism about this book is a familiar one: it is a bit too long and the ending is a bit rushed and somehow neat. Authors seem to be able to create interesting stories and to be weaving in a lot of ideas and details, but often don't really know how to wrap everything up with the same intensity and plausibility.
Nonetheless this is a hot candidate for one of my books of the year.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
lumakip's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, and Miscarriage